Fun ~ Fit ~ Fast and Type One Diabetes

November is Type One diabetes month; a month where awareness for those living with Type One diabetes is brought to life. 

Diabetes, clinically known as diabetes mellitus, is a disorder in which the pancreas has a difficult time regulating its blood glucose levels.  There are two types of diabetes; Type One (juvenile diabetes) and Type Two diabetes.  While both are something to be taken very seriously this article is going to specifically speak about Type 1 (T1D).  

Type One diabetics are known as insulin dependent as they must manually take insulin in order for the body to continue functioning.  An autoimmune disease that occurs when the bodies immune system attacks and destroys beta-cells within the pancreas resulting in the body no longer being able to independently produce insulin needed to break down glucose levels within the body.  

Living with T1D can be very challenging and often frustrating as you are constantly having to watch the amount of carbohydrates you are consuming and your blood sugar levels are always in the back of your mind.  Yet living with T1D is not debilitating; one of the largest misconceptions is that a person with T1D cannot live a normal life.  There are a lot of myths and lack of knowledge from the public in regards to T1D such as someone with diabetes cannot participate in sports, they can't eat sugar, and no matter what someone with diabetes does there will always be complications in the end.  Yet these are all myths.  A diabetic can participate in athletics and exercise; in fact leading a healthy and fit lifestyle ensures a reduce in the chance of having complications later in life.  Physical exercise helps to lower blood sugar levels keeping them within a healthy range.  The key to preventing future complications is maintaining within a healthy range; it is known that merely four years spent constantly in the two - three hundreds can start causing damage, something that can be prevented by living a fit and healthy lifestyle.

One of the biggest issues with T1D is the lack of education many receive when being diagnosed with diabetes.  When you are not educated on the affects carbohydrates, protein, fats, and sugars have on your body it makes it hard to understand why your body is acting the way it is.  Yes you are probably told you should stay within a certain range and when you should inject insulin however it can be seen that the affects that not strictly monitoring your glucose levels can have on a person's body is not adequately brought to attention. Often the idea that living a fit and healthy life, where one exercises on a daily basis, eats well balanced meals, and keeps a close eye on their blood glucose levels is put on the back burner. 

Some of the main goals that those with T1D should be made aware of are:

• Maintaining normal growth and development (particularly in children)
• Keeping blood sugar levels within a target range (not too high, not too low) by controlling through a balance of exercise, healthy eating, and insulin

This article is inspired by my amazing boyfriend, Brandon Bowker, who in February will have reached the milestone of 15 years living with T1D.  At the age of 15 Brandon was diagnosed with T1D and since then he has made it his a mission to live a healthy, fit, and normal lifestyle.  Even at the age of 15 he made the mature decision to constantly pay attention to his blood sugar levels, and to continue living his life as was.  While it was a challenge and learning to count carbohydrates and sugars was not always something he wanted to do he did not let it stop him from running cross country, playing basketball, and baseball.  Now 15 years later his strength and dedication is something that inspires me everyday. 

His blood sugar levels are steadily within a healthy range resulting in his HBA1C levels being as low as ever, golf game the best he's ever had, and in the best shape since he was in high school.  He never lets anything stand in his way and because of it has overcome many obstacles put in his way.  Someday he wishes to help others who are diagnosed with diabetes to understand that just because you have diabetes does not mean you can't lead a fit and healthy life.  His passion for life has been an inspiration for myself throughout my work and training.  

Currently approximately 3 million people are living with T1D and more than 15,000 children are newly diagnosed with T1D yearly.  While the research is out there for finding ways to better maintain and help those diagnosed with T1D it is sorely under rated.  Most importantly education and awareness for those diagnosed is seriously lacking.  Take some time today to learn a little about the life that those with T1D have, maybe your awareness and support will help others to understand that they too can lead a healthy, fit, and long life.

" There will be obstacles; there will be doubters; there will be mistakes; but with hard work there are no limits"